Most grain to bottle distilleries lately have been focused on distilling whiskey, which has had a huge resurgence in the US and worldwide spirits market. However, I was surprised to find a local company here in Portland that is focused solely on making vodka. As you may or may not know, the vast majority of all vodka brands produced in this country, which includes most “craft” vodkas, are made from corn-based neutral grain spirits produced in huge industrial distilleries and shipped in tanker trucks.
Industrial Row Dystopia Vodka is made grain to bottle from soft winter wheat and rye from local and very well know Bobs Red Mill. It is single distilled through a double column copper pot still named Clausius, after Rudolf Clausius who came up with the mathematical representation of the second law of thermodynamics.
The vodka has a nose that is lightly sweet, hints of peeled banana and orange blossom. Velvety smooth texture, flavors hints of melon and multigrain bread, with light heat and dryness on the finish. A single ice cube for a minute makes this vodka smooth as silk.
Industrial Row has a fine product in their Dystopia Vodka. The single distillation is remarkably smooth and yet still retains character from its local grain source. Vodka is generally a flavorless spirit, so be prepared, Dystopia Vodka is lightly sweet, unique and enjoyable.